KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has announced findings of an investigation that was conducted by the Department of Transport on the Mpumalanga Taxi Association dispute.
Mchunu said he hopes that these findings will bring closure to the tensions that have clouded this association and has also claimed many lives in the past years.
Today (1 September 2011) Mchunu met with councillors, taxi operators and the community of Mpumalanga to share with them findings of this investigation.
These findings follow an investigation by a mediator, Advocate Mvuseni Ngubane who was appointed by the Department of Transport to assist in resolving the Mpumalanga conflict.
Mchunu announced that only vehicles that were operating from 2006 to March 2010 will be considered.
Taxis that started operating after March 2010 to date will not be considered and will need to cease operations.
“This is not an easy decision; however it was taken after careful consideration and logic. We are hoping that this will bring closure to the Mpumalanga Taxi conflict that has claimed many lives. After the verification of those who are legitimate members we expect in a space of a month to hold elections that will elect a legitimate leadership of the association. We direct you to also look at your constitutions and make amendments where necessary. You must also look at the issue of one operator having more than four taxis, this need to change. We hope that will provide long lasting solutions to the taxi conflicts in this area,” said Mchunu.
Police are deployed in the area to monitor the situation after an incident where two people where shot and killed on Tuesday.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5155
Mchunu shares findings of the investigation on the Mpumalanga taxi violence
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